Tag: Across Tundras

The third of four shows dedicated to my albums of the year as selected by myself, fellow Salford City Radio DJs and a group of ne’er-do-wells from a Fall forum somewhere in etherspace

Deerhunter – Wash Off – Rhapsody Original (June) – recorded live in Austin at the annual Rhapsody Rocks SXSW party. A memorable opening track from a damn fine album.

Moon Duo – Run Around – Mazes (March) – The Wooden Shjips Ripley Johnson and organist Sanae Yamada in full psyche drone mode for their second album. Also remixed.

Magazine – Do The Meaning – No Thyself (October) – I wasn’t too sure on this one myself but the weight of opinion amongst the chums was that it was a return to form. I was a little perplexed with some of the lyrics and I thought their was an element of self parody in parts.

Across Tundras – In the Name of the Rio Grande – Sage (May) – Southern Gothic metal americana with a smattering of country. Real in your face music with an attitude.

White Fence – And By Always – In Growing Faith (January) – trippy, distortion-laced, psychedelic pop from Tim Presley who seems to be making this his main project following the demise of Darker My Love, apart from occasional paternity leave cover for The Fall.

The Suzukis – Built In – The Suzukis (July) – marvellous first outing from this band from Wigan – big things are predicted and it is justified.

Van Der Graaf Generator – Highly Strung – A Grounding In Numbers (March) – the 12th studio album by my reckoning and a real return to form after the disappointment of Trisector. Also remarkably short songs for this band but still with their trademark punk-prog approach.

Peter Hammill – Central Hotel – PNO, GTR, VOX (October) – PJAH hard at work, on his own, over two discs live at various venues throughout the land – including sunny Salford (I was present at said event). Disc One is Peter with piano, Disc Two is Peter with Guitar. An amazing version of the closing track from the 1981 album Sitting Targets.

Day For Airstrikes – Get In My Car – Adam, Wez, Ian, John, Danny, Rita, Sue and Bob Too (May) – the new soundtrack to the film of the latter part of the album title which was performed only once at the Sounds from the Other City Festival in May. The lovely mop-tops from South Manchester get into an altogether more reflective mood.

1 The Wild Swans -Melting Blue Delicious – Magnitude : touring in June and a new album soon on Occultation.

2 Michael Mooney – Dog – The Machine Made Hand : an Australian living in Canada – sent me this EP via our unsigned page

3 Dave Stephens – Hanging On – Time Will Tell : A Canadian living in America

4 Across Tundras – In the name of River Grand – Sage : Blistering new album from this three piece on Neurot Records

5 Tom Verlaine – A Postcard from Waterloo – The Millers Tale : a 1996 double-CD compilation album. It chronicles his solo career and his career with Television on one CD (including several obscurities) and the other CD is an edited live performance from London in 1982.

8 Joshua Ronnay Fisher – Tell Me Your Name – Demo : I know absolutely nothing about this lot other than they are from Wigan and they list Led Zeppelin and The Stooges as influences. Again they sent this in via our unsigned page.

9 And So I Watch You From – Afar Seven Million People All Alive At Once -Gangs : they were at the Deaf Institute last week – missed them unfortunately. Jury is out still for me on this album which needs a couple more listens. One of my preferred post-rock outfits mind you.

10 Atomiks – Triple Zero – Pontiac and Superhonky – The Atomiks preach tirelessly to the faithful time and time again against the evils of an incomprehensible military-industrial complex, while extolling salvation through baptism by bourbon. Marvellous stuff from Reno, Nevada!

11 Bert Jansch – Fresh as a sweet Sunday morning – LA Turnaround : he’s been touring with Neil Young and has a new album called The Black Swan – but this is from his classic album LA Turnaround. Probably one of my favourite albums.